Chapter 264: The Envoy from Prince Wei
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“People talking nonsense?”
Xiao Ming frowned. He had never really thought about that before. But now that Ziyuan mentioned it, he suddenly understood.
This phrase came from the old rule of “three obediences and four virtues” for women. So, when the female workers mentioned gossip, it likely meant some people were criticizing them—saying they were out working instead of staying home and serving their husbands.
“It’s true,” said Ziyuan. “Because of this, many female workers quit midway. Every few days someone doesn’t show up to work.”
Xiao Ming sighed and shook his head. Once again, old customs and traditions were getting in his way.
He said, “In that case, I’ll write about it in the newspaper. I believe there are still many open-minded people out there. Oh, by the way—how much are you paying the female workers?”
“Ninety copper coins a month,” Ziyuan replied, holding up nine fingers.
“Thirty copper coins?” Xiao Ming’s eyes widened in shock.
At that time, one coin could only buy two liang (about 100 grams) of rice in Qingzhou. That meant ninety coins a month was worth just six jin (3 kg) of rice—or about six modern-day yuan. No wonder the workers were quitting. It was such a low wage that it wasn’t even worth the effort.
If it weren’t for the lack of work opportunities for women in ancient times, no one would even take the job.
Plus, in traditional farming society, families lived off their own production. The men farmed, and the women wove. So if they could already weave at home, why bother working outside for such little pay?